Taxonomy
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Mammal
- Order
- Artiodactyla
- Family
- Ziphiidae
- Genus
- Mesoplodon
Habitat
Andrews' beaked whales inhabit deep oceanic waters, primarily in the southern hemisphere around New Zealand, Australia, and the subantarctic regions. They prefer areas with steep continental slopes and depths exceeding 1,000 meters, where they can dive to forage. These whales avoid coastal areas and are rarely seen near the surface.
Diet
Andrews' beaked whales primarily feed on deep-sea squid such as those from the family Histioteuthidae, along with small fish like myctophids. They use suction feeding during long dives to depths of over 1,000 meters, typically at night when prey is more active. Their feeding behavior is adapted for low-light environments, making them highly specialized hunters.
Behavior
Andrews' beaked whales are typically found in small groups of 2-7 individuals, often family pods, and are highly elusive with long dive times exceeding an hour. They exhibit strong avoidance behavior towards boats and loud noises, likely due to sensitivity to disturbances. These whales are mostly active during the day for diving and feeding, and they show minimal territorial behavior in their vast oceanic range.
Conservation Status
Andrews' beaked whales are classified as Data Deficient by the IUCN, with population trends unknown due to their deep-water habitat and rarity of sightings. Major threats include bycatch in fisheries and potential impacts from underwater noise pollution, such as from military sonar.